Elaine Houston

October 17, 2017 02:37 PM

Elaine Houston is an award-winning journalist. She joined WNYT in January 1990. Today, she’s the anchor of NewsChannel 13 Live at 5 and 5:30 as well as a reporter. Her stories have taken her to Washington, DC to cover the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017. She also covered candidate Trump in New York City on election night in November of 2016.

In 2017, Elaine was also in Washington, DC to cover the hundreds of thousands of women who rallied in the nation’s capital for the Women’s March on Washington in opposition to the proposals of President Donald Trump. She won the Employee of the Month for her work in Washington D.C. In 2015 Elaine traveled to the White House where then President Barack Obama posthumously presented WW1 soldier Sgt. Henry Johnson the Medal of Honor. Elaine has traveled to Oklahoma to cover tornado damage and to Massachusetts in 2004 and Sen. John Kerry’s bid for the White House. In 1999 Elaine traveled to Cuba and covered the protracted conflict over little Elian Gonzalez, as well as a day in the life of Havana’s Cuban citizens.

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In 2017, Elaine was presented with the Community of Excellence Award by the College of St. Rose for work in the community. That same year, she was given an award by the New York State Broadcasters Association Award for a story in in her series, Today’s Women. In 2017, Elaine sponsored WOMEN; Turning the Corner, a women’s leadership and empowerment summit at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Albany. The sold-out event featured entrepreneurial workshops, guest speakers and a roundtable discussion providing tools for women to succeed.

In 2016, she was presented the YOU GO GIRL award from HerLIFE Magazine for her stories on women impacting their community through her series Today’s Women on WNYT-13. She focuses on everything from the growing number of women who find themselves homeless, to the number of women changing their communities and the lives of other women through entrepreneurial enterprises, leadership roles, and non-profit organizations.

That same year she also received the MOM Prom award from the ZONTA club of Schenectady also for her inspiring stories on women. Elaine is so passionate about covering issues that are gender specific to women, as well as telling stories that give women a voice that she started her own website for women in 2014 www.SHEspeaks2me.com.

As the education reporter, Elaine highlights outstanding teachers and students with her TopTeacher and "The Best and the Brightest" programs. Her passion for education resulted in her creating an Education Forum for 100 teachers in 2011 to discuss the controversial Teacher Evaluation process. She received the Employee of the Month award for her efforts in that project.

In 1999, in her capacity as an education reporter, she organized a weekend trip to Space Camp in Canada for 30 educators. The goal was to help the teachers encourage their students to pursue careers in science and exploration.

Elaine has received numerous education awards including, the SAANY’s award in 2009 for outstanding education stories and the PTA lifetime award in 2000.

Elaine was recognized by WNYT in 2011, again with the Employee of the Month award for creating a company-wide lip dub video that was shown on television and later posted on the WNYT website and generating hundreds of hits.

Equally as important as her professional career is her work in the community and around the world. In 2012 Elaine’s humanitarian efforts were recognized in a cover story in the June issue of HERLIFE magazine. Also, in 2012, she received the Distinguished Community Service award from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In April 2005, Elaine received the Trefoil Award from the Hudson Valley Council of the Girl Scouts. The award recognizes outstanding members of the community who present positive role models to today's Girl Scouts.

In May 2004, the College of St. Rose bestowed an honorary doctorate degree upon Elaine for her work in the community as well as her stories on teachers and her commitment to education. That same month the Women's Press Club selected Elaine as the Media Person of the Year for her accomplishments in the community and her work at WNYT.

Elaine's first book was published in March 2004. "The Friendships Between Women" is a compilation of letters from women on tragedy and triumph. The proceeds from the book go to women in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo through Panzi Hospital. www.panzifoundation.org/panzi-hospital/

In February 2004, Elaine received the Journalist of the Year award from Urban Voices Newspaper for her positive stories on people of color. That same month she also received a community service award from the Chocolate Thunder Marching Band for her stories that chronicled the trials and triumphs of this award-winning marching band.

In January 2004, Elaine was awarded the NYS PTA life member award for her series Education Spotlight, Educator of the Week and other work celebrating teachers and students.

In February 2003 Elaine was awarded the governor's African-Americans of Distinction Award for her contributions to her profession and the community.

In 2001 Elaine received the Governor's Women of Courage and Vision Award for her contributions to her community and her profession. She also received the Colonie Chamber ofCommerce Women in Professions Award for her professional and community achievements.

Elaine created a communications program at the Arbor Hill Community Center, teaching children ages 9-12 the basics of the broadcast business. In 1998 Elaine created the "Cookie House," an after school tutorial program for kids. Much of her spare time is spent traveling to schools, meeting with and talking to young people.

In 1996 she received an award for her community service from the Twin Rivers Council of BoyScouts of America and the State University of New York's Black Student Alliance.

Elaine is currently working on a project to provide sewing machines to African women in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She has traveled to South Africa and Tanzania, Africa.

Elaine serves as host, mistress of ceremony and moderator of numerous community events and activities throughout the Capital Region.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Elaine earned a Master’s Degree in International Women’s Studies in 2009 from the State University of New York’s Empire State College and holds a B.S. in Journalism from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.